Shattered

Flashback

 Play the song on the side for background music.

I stood still, hands in my pocket with eyes glued to the horizon. I felt the strong breeze on my skin and the sand resting on my bare feet. My bangs flying in all directions, almost blocking my view. But I still kept my eyes on the sun.

I'm at the beach, where I first saw her.

 ~

She was sitting on a bench, with a guitar on her hand. She strummed and strummed but kept stopping. Realizing she had played the wrong notes, she threw the guitar on the ground and layed on the bench, frustrated. She covered her eyes using her hand.

I smiled and approached her, slowly picking up the guitar and sat on the bench next to hers. I thought of something to play. When I finally decided, I started strumming.

♫ Walls, you can build 'em all around,

Just to shield a piece of your world out of sight.

She suddenly sat up, surprised. I can feel her eyes on me but I pretended I didn't notice and kept singing.

And I needed you to look through

To the shadows I tried to bury outside.

Drawing them out to the light,

You showed me I got nothing here to hide.

Even though I couldn't see it, I can see her smiling.

Now I can be who I am,

Now I can stand up for everyone to see.

Taking this life in my hands,

Now I can be,

Now I can be the real me. ♫ 

"Galing mo ah." She said after I stopped playing. I turned to look at her and saw a face of an angel. The sun made her brown eyes sparkle and showed her rosy cheeks. Her smile was the most beautiful smile I've ever seen.

"Salamat." I replied and handed her the guitar.

"Ako nga pala si Kath." She held out her hand.

"Daniel." I smiled and we shook hands.

I didn't know that one day I'll be falling for her.

~

My legs started to ache from standing so I sat down on the sand. I leaned my head against the palm tree behind me. I took a glance at my phone. It's only 6:30.

May oras pa ako para dalawin siya.. pero hindi ko alam kung kakayanin ko. It's been two years.

I sat there and played with the sand, debating whether if I should visit her or not. I wanted to go but my mind tells me 'No, wag mo siyang dalawin, DJ. Hindi mo 'to kaya. Masaktan ka lang.'

After a few minutes, I finally made up my mind. I stood up and walked to the nearest flower shop near the beach and bought a dozen roses.

Kaya mo 'to, Daniel. Kaya mo 'to.

-

I stood still as I held the flowers in my hand. The wind was blowing hard. I didn't dare make a sound as I stared at the letters infront of me.

KATHRYN CHANDRIA MANUEL BERNARDO

MARCH 26, 1996 - JUNE 16, 2012

REST IN PEACE.

"Kath, sorry kung ngayon lang kita dinalaw," I can hear my own voice crack as I kneeled down to touch her grave. "Hindi ko kasi alam kung kakayanin ko.."